With new website, Arizona tourism officials advertise state as ‘foodie destination’

PHOENIX — If you see more people filing into your favorite local restaurant soon, don’t be surprised: Arizona tourism officials are looking to make the state a “foodie destination.”

Stephanie Dowling with the Arizona Office of Tourism said the office is touting the state’s culinary delicacies through its new website, Expedition Foodie.

Expedition Foodie gives locals and visitors alike a convenient place to find the “most iconic, unique, delicious and renowned destinations for food and drink anywhere in Arizona,” according to the website.

Dowling pointed to several of the state’s food-related accolades as a reason for visitors to come and explore the city.

“We have chefs – award-winning chefs – opening these amazing restaurants in some of our metropolitan areas,” she said. “And, then, we also have these amazing agricultural experiences.”

One of those agricultural experiences is wine. Arizona currently has over 30 wineries, large and small, throughout the state.

But Dowling said the website will reflect more than just wine.

“We’d like to see as many restaurants as possible,” she said. “That can really be a good reflection of the tremendous offerings we have.”

Restaurant owners in Arizona can even submit to get their spot on the map — literally — through the website’s “Hotspot” feature.

Arizona has already earned its fair share of “foodie” awards: In January, a Phoenix taco shop was named among the best Mexican joints in the country. Phoenix was also named the No. 1 city for pizza from Travel + Leisure in 2016.